Cucumber Dal

Cucumber is one of the most hydrating veggies which can be served in varieties of forms. You can make a chutney, salad, dal and even curry with Cucumber and it’s yummy in every form.
Nutrition and health benefits :
Raw cucumber (with peel) is 95% water, 4% carbohydrates, 1% protein, and contains negligible fat. A 100-gram (3+1⁄2-ounce) reference serving provides 65 kilojoules (16 kilocalories) of food energy.

Ingredients :
Cucumber – 1 ( Sambar Cucumber, in images)
Tur Dal – 160 gms
Onion – 1 small
Salt and Chilli Powder – according to your taste.
Tadka Ingredients :
Oil/ Ghee : 2 table spoons
Mustard – 1 spoon
Jeera/Cumin Seeds – half Spoon
Red Chilli : 2
Methi Powder : a pinch
Hing : a Pinch
Curry leaves – 4-5
Coriander leaves – 4-5

Let’s Cook !!

1. Peel a Cucumber and cut into medium size pieces. Remove seeds , kids may not like the texture of seeds in food.
2. Cut Onion into 4 pieces.
3. Add Tur dal in a cooker, add a pinch of salt and turmeric. Cook until 5 whistles.
4. In a frying pan add 2 tablespoons of Oil. After it heats up , add Mustard and let it sputter. Then add Hing, and Methi powder. Add Cumin seeds and Redchilli to the oil.
5. Add the cut onions and Cucumber to the Tadka , add sufficient salt and stir.
6. Let this mix cook on medium flame for 3-4 mins. Add half cup water, close the pan with a lid and cook in high flame for 5-7 mins ( till the cucumber softens).
7. Mash the cooked dal to smoothen. Add the dal to the cooked Cucumber.
8. Add chilli powder according to your taste. ( This dal tastes good when it’s not spicy)
9. Add coriander leaves , close the lid and cook in low flame for 2-3 mins and switch off the stove.

Tips and Tricks :
. You can add a pinch of Tamarind Pulp to the vegetables while cooking. But if you have arthritis or any Joint related issues, I recommend you replace tamarind with a spoon of Lemon Juice.
. Cucumber’s health benefits are enhanced when it’s cooked with peel. But if your kids like the food smooth and soft, then it’s better to remove the peel.
Ensure that the kids enjoy eating the Cucumber pieces in Dal, they are rich hydrating sources.
Using Ghee for Tadka enhances the taste and aroma of the dal by 200%.